Water HealthyEssential to health and to life, water is increasingly facing pressure in Alberta. As our province grows,how we use, manage and protect our water will change. Connie Bryson looks at the possibilities

Clean water is a foundation
of health. It’s no surprise that
water treatment is a priority for
communities worldwide. In Alberta,
our drinking water is among the
safest in the world.

But a resource as precious as
water requires a watchful eye. The
pressure on water will increase as
our population grows (it's forecast to
hit 7. 5 million by 2050) and demand
swells among people, industry and
agriculture. Added to this is the
uncertainty of how climate change
may affect our water supply
and quality.

Albertans aren’t waiting to find
out. In 2003, the Alberta government
launched its Water for Life strategy
to help manage and protect the
province’s water resources. The
strategy, which was renewed in

2008, is making a difference. For
example, all Alberta water utilities
must now develop drinking water
safety plans. These plans identify
all the risks to a water supply and
ways to manage and monitor them.

Alberta is the first place in NorthAmerica to do this, somethingthe World Health Organizationbelieves is the best way to protecta drinking water supply.

The;University;of;Alberta;Water
Initiative is bringing together more
than 100 water researchers in a wide
range of fields including economics,
water treatment, biology, water
policy, health and nanotechnology.

Research director Dr. Greg Gosssays the Water Initiative is all about“connecting biologists, physicists,chemists, business people, socialscientists, Aboriginal groups,industry and agriculture. We’regetting people talking to find outwhere the gaps are and then work toclose them.” A r t work:AndrewKiss